The Indian cricket team held a practice session on Sunday in Mohali ahead of their first match against arch-rivals Pakistan next week.

The hosts take on visitors in a clash on Tuesday, which is part of the three tests and six one-dayers tour spread over two months.

The Indian cricket team was seen undergoing a rigorous practice session on the plush green turf of the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium at Mohali.

Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who had been out for a while due to his elbow injury, also had a good hour-long session.

The 31-year-old batsman was out for almost three months last year because of a tennis elbow and had not played competitively since the Bangladesh tour in December.

Tendulkar played against Australia last October despite not being fully fit and was advised to take six weeks' rest by doctors earlier this year because the injury had flared up again.

Cricket enthusiasts in Mohali and its neighbouring areas are anticipating the match with bated breath as fans pour in from all over the country.

"We have come to Chandigarh to see the match.  Whenever a match happens between India and Pakistan we are eager to see it.  I am here since morning to buy tickets for the match, " said Rakesh, a cricket fan who from New Delhi.

Although cricket matches in both countries have been marred by unruly crowd behaviour, the thaw in ties has begun to be reflected on the pitch.

As millions of fans also await the first test in Mohali scheduled from March 8th to 12th, around 4,000 fans from Pakistan are expected to travel on special trains and buses.

"It feels very good to have a match with Pakistan.  It's a nice ambience in Mohali.  The public here is very happy.  The city is bustling and it feels very nice," said Virendra Kumar, another cricket fan.

Indian players and fans were overwhelmed by Pakistani hospitality in 2004 and thousands of Pakistan supporters are due to arrive to a warm reception for the first test in Mohali, which is in Punjab state bordering Pakistan.

India won the tests 2-1 and one-day series 3-2 on their first full tour of Pakistan for more than 14 years in March-April last year.

Pakistan begin their first test series in India for six years on Tuesday, pinning their hopes on history repeating itself and a dramatic reversal in recent form.

The visitors clinched a 1-0 victory in a six-test series in 1986- 87, and on their last tour in 1999 drew the test series 1-1 before claiming victory in an Asian test championship match.  (ANI)